Table 1 Demographic data for 75 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of non-individualised homeopathy: 21 excluded from meta-analysis shown by italics at first author's name

A42

Aabel

2001

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients treated for hay fever due to birch pollen allergy

Specialist outpatient department in Norway

Y

Isopathy

Research Council of Norway. Homeopathic remedy and placebo tablets were gift from DCG, Gothenburg, Sweden

N

A43

Aabel

2000

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients treated for hay fever due to birch pollen allergy

Specialist outpatient department in Norway

Y

Isopathy

Research Council of Norway. Homeopathic remedy and placebo tablets were gift from DCG, Gothenburg, Sweden

N

A44

Aabel

2000

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients treated for hay fever due to birch pollen allergy

Specialist outpatient department in Norway

Y

Isopathy

Research Council of Norway. Homeopathic remedy and placebo tablets were gift from DCG, Gothenburg, Sweden

N

A47

Baker

2003

Mental Disorder

Anxiety

Acute

Anxious students, aged 18-60 years

University, Australia

N

Single

‘Brauer Biotherapies Pty Ltd (Adelaide) manufactured the homeopathic preparation specifically for the study’

U

A48

Balzarini

2000

Dermatology

Radiodermatitis

Acute

Patients with dermatitis caused by radiotherapy for breast cancer

Rehabilitation and palliative care department, Italy

Mixed

Combn.

None stated

U

A49

Beer

1999

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Induction of labour

Acute

Women (at least 18 years old) between 38 and 42 weeks’ gestation and cervical dilation (≤3 cm)

Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der RWTH Aachen

N

Single

None stated

U

A50

Belon

2006

Toxicology

Arsenic toxicity

Chronic

People at high risk of arsenic contamination

Rural village, India

Y

Single

Hom pharm

N

A51

Belon

2007

Toxicology

Arsenic toxicity

Chronic

People at high risk of arsenic contamination

Rural village, India

Y

Single

Hom pharm

N

A52

Bergmann (a)

2000

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Female infertility: oligomenorrhoea

Chronic

Women, age 18 - 40

Universitäts-Frauenklinik Heidelberg

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A52

Bergmann (b)

2000

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Female infertility: amenorrhoea

Chronic

Women, age 18 - 40

Universitäts-Frauenklinik Heidelberg

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A53

Bernstein

2006

Dermatology

Psoriasis

Acute

Patients with psoriasis

Dermatology Centre in the USA

N

Single

“Supported in part” by Apollo Pharmaceuticals Inc., manufacturers of Reliéva

N

A55

Berrebi

2001

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Postpartum lactation

Acute

Women immediately after childbirth and who did not wish to breast-feed

Childbirth unit, university hospital, Toulouse, France

N

Combn.

Hom pharm

N

A56

Bignamini

1987

Cardiovascular

Hypertension

Chronic

Elderly males or females with hypertension

Two old people’s homes, Italy

Y

Single

“We thank Laboratoires Boiron for material provided”

U

A59

Cialdella

2001

Mental Disorder

Withdrawal of benzodiazepines

Chronic

Men and women aged >18 years, taking BZD for >3 mo.

GP practices in France (multi-centre)

N

OTC complex ^b

External (hom pharm / govt.)

N

A60

Clark

2000

Musculoskeletal

Plantar fasciitis

Acute

Patients treated with heel pain due to fasciitis

Podiatry clinic, England

Y

Single

None stated

U

A272

Colau

2012

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Menopausal syndrome

Chronic

Women aged ≥50 years; experienced amenorrhea for >12 months; spontaneously complained of hot flashes that had started <2 years previously

35 gynaecologist private practices in France

N

OTC complex

Hom pharm.

N

A61

Cornu

2010

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative bleeding

Acute

Males or females, >18 years old, for whom elective aortic valve surgery planned

University hospital department, France

N

Combn.

Financially supported and assisted in design by Laboratoires Boiron, but ‘conducted in total independence’

U

A62

Diefenbach

1997

Respiratory Infection

Bronchitis

Acute

Patients (M/F) with bronchitis

4 doctors’ practices in Germany

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A63

Ernst

1990

Cardiovascular

Varicose veins

Acute

Varicose veins in the legs

Rehabilitation clinic in Austria

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A64

Ferley

1989

Respiratory Infection

Influenza

Acute

Age ≥12 years, flu-like symptoms, temp ≥38C

General practices in Rhône-Alpes region, France

Y

^aIsopathy

None stated

U

A67

Frass

2005

Respiratory Infection

Tracheal secretions

Acute

Patients with accumulation of heavy secretions in the trachea

Intensive Care Unit at a university hospital in Austria

Y

Single

None stated

U

A68

Freitas

1995

Allergy and Asthma

Childhood asthma

Chronic

Children aged 12 mo to 12 years, with a mild to severe asthma crisis in the previous 6 mo.

Outpatient clinic in São Paulo, Brazil

N

Single

None stated

U

A69

Friese

2007

Ear, Nose and Throat

Sinusitis

Acute

Patients from 18 - 65 (m/f)

10 medical centres in Ukraine

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A70

Friese

1997

Ear, Nose and Throat

Adenoid

Acute

Children (M/F) between age 4 and 10

Universitäts Kinderklinik Tübingen

Mixed

Combn.

Remedies were gift from hom pharm.

N

A74

Gerhard (a)

1998

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Female infertility: amenorrhoea

Chronic

Women with secondary amenorrhoea

University hospital, Germany

N

OTC complex

Direct support from the company that provided the homeopathic medicine for the trial (senior author is company employee)

N

A74

Gerhard (b)

1998

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Female infertility: luteal insufficiency

Chronic

Women with luteal insufficiency

University hospital, Germany

N

OTC complex

Direct support from the company that provided the homeopathic medicine for the trial (senior author is company employee)

N

A74

Gerhard (c)

1998

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Female infertility: idiopathic

Chronic

Women with idiopathic infertility

University hospital, Germany

N

OTC complex

Direct support from the company that provided the homeopathic medicine for the trial (senior author is company employee)

N

A75

GRECHO

1989

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative ileus

Acute

Men and women aged >18 years, having one of several stated operations

12 hospitals in France

Mixed

Combn.

Govt.

Y

A274

Harrison

2013

Mental Disorder

Insomnia

Chronic

Males aged 18-40, with chronic primary insomnia: at least 3 days per week for period of 1 mo to 10 years

University clinic

N

Combn.

University

Y

A76

Hart

1997

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain

Acute

Patients with abdominal hysterectomy

Hospital, England

Y

Single

None stated

U

A78

Hitzenberger

2005

Cardiovascular

Hypertension

Chronic

Hypertensive patients (M/F)

Not explicitly mentioned

N

OTC complex

The study was funded, but it is not stated by whom

U

A79

Hofmeyr

1990

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Postpartum pain

Acute

Postpartum women with episiotomy or perineal tearing requiring suture

University hospital, South Africa

N

Single ^b

None stated

U

A80

Jacobs

2006

Gastroenterology

Childhood diarrhoea

Acute

Children with a history of acute diarrhoea

Two municipal clinics, Honduras

Y

Combn.

External (hom research foundation)

Y

A81

Jacobs

2007

Tropical Disease

Dengue fever symptoms

Acute

Patients over age 12 with a case definition of dengue

Two health centres, Honduras

Y

Combn.

External (hom research foundation); meds ‘furnished’ by hom pharm

U

A83

Kaziro

1984

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain/swelling

Acute

Patients with extraction of impacted wisdom teeth

Dental hospital, England

Y

Single

None stated

U

A84

Khuda-Bukhsh

2005

Toxicology

Arsenic toxicity

Chronic

People at high risk of arsenic contamination

Rural village, India

Y

Single

Hom pharm.

N

A85

Khuda-Bukhsh

2011

Toxicology

Arsenic toxicity

Chronic

People at high risk of arsenic contamination

Rural village, India

Y

Single

Hom pharm.

N

A86

Kim

2005

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Asthmatic people allergic to house dust mite

College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, USA

N

Isopathy

Internal / External (hom pharm)

N

A88

Kolia-Adam

2008

Mental Disorder

Insomnia

Chronic

Males or females, 18-50 years, suffering from insomnia for > 1 year

University health clinic, South Africa

Y

Single

None stated

U

A89

Kotlus

2010

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative bruising

Acute

Males undergoing upper blepharoplasty

University department of ophthalmology, USA

Y

Combn.

Supported in part by external foundation

Y

A91

Labrecque

1992

Dermatology

Warts

Chronic

Aged 6-59 years and at least 1 plantar wart untreated during previous 3 months

Hospital-based family medicine unit, Canada

Mixed

Combn.

Hospital pharmacy

Y

A92

Leaman

1989

Dermatology

Minor burns

Acute

Aged 15-60 years with minor burns within previous 6 h

Hospital Accident and Emergency Dept, England

Y

Single

None stated

U

A93

Lewith

2002

Allergy and Asthma

Allergic asthma

Chronic

Asthmatic people allergic to house dust mite

Hospital clinic, England

Y

Isopathy

Internal / External (charity) / Purchase from hom pharm

Y

A94

Lipman

1999

Miscellaneous

Snoring

Acute

People treated for snoring

ENT specialist clinic in the USA

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A293

Malapane

2014

Ear, Nose and Throat

Tonsillitis

Acute

Children, aged 6-12 years, with acute viral tonsillitis

University department of homeopathy, South Africa

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A95

McCutcheon

1996

Mental Disorder

Anxiety

Acute

Adults with above average anxiety

University, USA

N

OTC complex

Hom pharm

N

A275

Naidoo

2013

Allergy and Asthma

Allergic skin reaction

Acute

Males or females, aged 18 to 45; positive skin test; living with a cat for a period of ≥ 6 mo; suffering from allergy-like symptoms

University health training centre

N

Combn.

None stated

U

A100

Oberbaum

2001

Oral/Dental

Stomatitis

Acute

Cancer patients with stomatitis

Children’s Medical Centre in Israel

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A101

Oberbaum

2005

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Postpartum bleeding

Acute

Women after childbirth

Medical centre in Israel

Mixed

Combn.

Research foundation

Y

A103

Padilha

2011

Toxicology

Lead poisoning

Acute

Workers at risk of lead contamination

Clinic of battery plant, Brazil

Y

Single

Explicitly no funding source

Y

A104

Papp

1998

Respiratory Infection

Influenza

Acute

Age 12-60 years, specified flu-like symptoms, onset within last 24 h, temp ≥38C

General or specialist medical practices, Germany

Y

^a Isopathy

None stated

U

A105

Paris

2008

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative analgesic intake

Acute

Male or female, aged 18-60 years, undergoing surgery of anterior cruciate ligamen

University hospital, France

N

Combn.

Hom pharm

N

A108

Rahlfs

1976

Gastroenterology

Irritable bowel syndrome

Acute

Patients, male or female, aged 20-60, with diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

12 general medical practices in Germany

N

Single ^b

None stated

U

A109

Rahlfs

1978

Gastroenterology

Irritable bowel syndrome

Acute

Patients, male or female, aged 20-60, with diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

39 general medical practices in Germany

N

Single

External (hom research foundation)

Y

A277

Razlog

2012

Mental Disorder

ADHD

Chronic

School children, aged 5-11, diagnosed with ADHD

Primary schools in South Africa

N

Single

University

Y

A111

Reilly

1986

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients aged over 5 with at least a 2-year history of seasonal rhinitis and current symptoms of grass pollen allergy

Two hospital clinics and 26 NHS general practitioners in the UK

Y

Isopathy

External: charity; govt.

Y

A112

Reilly

1994

Allergy and Asthma

Allergic asthma

Chronic

Patients aged over 16 with at least a 1-year history of asthma and reactive to inhaled allergens

Asthma outpatient clinic, Scotland

Y

Isopathy

External / purchase from hom pharm

Y

A113

Robertson

2007

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain

Acute

Patients over the age of 18 undergoing tonsillectomy

Hospital, England

Y

Single

Internal / External (hom pharm)

N

A116

Schmidt

2002

Miscellaneous

Those benefited by reduced body weight

Acute

Fasting patients encountering static or increased body weight

Hospital for internal and complementary medicine, Germany

Y

Single

“The foundation of the Krankenhaus für Naturheilweisen funded the study, paying salaries or fees to contributors and collaborators.”

U

A117

Seeley

2006

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative bruising

Acute

Female patients undergoing elective rhytidectomy

Hospital, Canada

Unknown

Single

Hom pharm.

N

A278

Sencer

2012

Oral/Dental

Mucositis

Acute

Patients aged 3-25 years, undergoing myeloablative haematopoietic SCT for malignant and non-malignant conditions

Oncology centres in USA, Canada and Israel

N

OTC complex

Government (NIH) grant

Y

A120

Singer

2010

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain

Acute

Patients (M/F) age > = 18

2 centres

N

OTC complex

Financial support by producing company which ‘supplied the study medication’ but, by contractual agreement, had ‘no control over the flow of the study, the data analysis, or the decision when and where to publish the study findings’

Y

A122

Stevinson

2003

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain/swelling

Acute

Aged 18–70 years undergoing elective hand surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome

Hospital, England

Y / N

Single ^b

Hom. research foundation / drugs ‘supplied by’ hom pharm

U

A123

Taylor

2000

Allergy and Asthma

Perennial allergic rhinitis

Chronic

Patients with allergy to house dust mites, animals, pollens or foods

Specialist outpatient department in the UK

Y

Isopathy

External (hom and non-hom charities)

Y

A125

Tveiten

1991

Musculoskeletal

Muscle soreness

Acute

Male marathon runners, Norway

City of Oslo

Y

Single

None stated

U

A126

Tveiten

1998

Musculoskeletal

Muscle soreness

Acute

Marathon runners, Norway

City of Oslo

Y

Single

Research Council of Norway. Homeopathic remedy and placebo tablets were gift from hom pharm.

N

A128

Vickers

1998

Musculoskeletal

Muscle soreness

Acute

Long-distance runners, aged 18 or over, England

London community

Y

Single

Charity / drugs gifted by hom pharm

N

A130

Weiser

1994

Ear, Nose and Throat

Sinusitis

Chronic

Patients (M/F) with chronic sinusitis

11 ENT doctors’ practices in Germany

N

OTC complex ^b

None stated

U

A131

Wiesenauer

1985

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients treated for hay fever

Doctors’ practices in Germany

N

Single

External (hom pharm)

N

A132

Wiesenauer

1989

Ear, Nose and Throat

Sinusitis

Acute

Patients (M/F) with acute or chronic sinusitis

47 doctors’ practices

N

Combn. ^c

Funded by two foundations

Y

A133

Wiesenauer

1990

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

M/F, all ages

54 doctors’ practices

N

Single

Funded by two foundations

Y

A134

Wiesenauer

1991

Rheumatology

Rheumatoid arthritis

Chronic

Patients (m/f), age 18 - 70, with chronic polyarthritis

6 doctors’ practices

N

OTC complex

None stated

U

A135

Wiesenauer

1995

Allergy and Asthma

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

Acute

Patients treated for hay fever

Doctors’ practices in Germany

N

Single

None stated

U

A136

Wolf

2003

Surgery and Anaesthesiology

Post-operative pain

Acute

Age 10 - 65 (M/F), varicose veins

Gefäßchirurgische Klinik in Berlin-Buch

N

Single

Remedies were gift from hom pharm.

N

A137

Zabolotnyi

2007

Ear, Nose and Throat

Sinusitis

Acute

Patients, aged 18-60 years, treated for acute maxillary sinusitis, with at least 8 d of symptoms

ENT specialist clinics, Ukraine

N

OTC complex

None stated

U